Soggy Pomegranate

[Thymetraveller]

I have reduced my watering regime for all of my trees as things have cooled down, but the last couple of times I watered, I noticed that this pomegranate wasn't draining at all well.

pomtop.jpg

It was purchased from a bonsai nursery in June 2015, and put into a larger nursery put straight away. The pot stands on several pebbles to aid drainage. It has had no water for 48 hours now, with no rain last night, and the rootball still feels heavy and wet.

pomroot.jpg

Drainage was not previously a problem for this plant.

What should I do? I would hate to lose this one to root rot.
Can I repot into a looser mix at this stage?
The plant is still green when cut, so it seems to be hanging in there.

Any suggestions?

[Jarad]

What you may want to do it slip pot (minimal root disturbance). Just tease out the outer edges, and slip into a bigger pot with better soil.

That's what I'd do. How hardy are pomegranates?

[Thymetraveller]

Thanks for your response Jarad.
I did wonder about slip-potting and I think that's what I'll do.
My pomegranates seem pretty tough so I think it's worth a go - I don't fancy this one's chances if I leave it as it is.

Cheers

[Thymetraveller]

pompot.jpg

Here's to a perkier pomegranate!!!

[Pearcy001]

Can it be moved to a sunnier position at all?

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[Daluke]

Mine like it on the soggier side. Like you I find the pomegranate pretty tough.

If concerned, I'd be using a chop stick and clearing out the holes at the bottom of the pot, putting some more holes in the base and then pushing some more holes into the root ball / soil to ensure that excess water can clear.

I saw a great post on YouTube about how bonsai nurseries in Japan deal with poor water flow.

If I find it, I'll post a link.

[Daluke]

Also, have you been using blood and bone?

[Thymetraveller]

Thanks again for yet more responses!

Daluke, great advice about chopsticking the rootball, which was very dense. Re blood and bone; I hadn't been using it - should I?
I'd very much like to watch that youtube vid too if you can find it...google gave me lots of well meaning blokes with watering cans...

Pearcy, The tree is on my top balcony, which faces north and gets sun pretty much all day. I also have a lower, covered balcony on the same side where I keep shadier plants and plants in recovery. I'm really lucky here!

I'm pretty sure it was just potbound, and will feel better now.
I am very fond of this tree and, I confess, panicked a little
As ever, the forum is a great sounding board, source of knowledge and support.

Cheers all!

[Pearcy001]

Not sure about your climate, but in mine last winter the condensation from night temps dropping low were causing a tree of mine with a poor draining medium some issues. May be worth bringing it in on those real cold nights to stop it staying damp overnight? That way it could dry each day. Given your profile says NSW I'm guessing that might not be the case.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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[Daluke]

I asked about the blood and bone as I find when I use it, it often leaves the soil waterlogged and stinky and stops water flow.

[tgward]

no leaves -- is it better to wait for early spring-----is it still too early to do a major clean out and repot with good drainage?----